Introduction
It’s normal for cats to experience some side effects after getting vaccinated. These vaccines help prevent serious and potentially fatal diseases like panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, and rabies. While the vaccines provide important protection, they can sometimes cause cats to feel temporarily under the weather.
One of the more concerning potential side effects is post-vaccination depression or lethargy. It’s not entirely uncommon for cats to seem more tired, irritable, anxious, or sad after getting their shots. This reaction is thought to be caused by the vaccine stimulating the immune system, resulting in inflammation that can affect mood and energy levels. Additionally, some cats experience stress or anxiety about visiting the vet and getting injections, which could contribute to acting more down or withdrawn afterward.
Luckily this depressed state is usually temporary, lasting 1-2 days as the vaccine side effects start to dissipate. But if a cat continues to act overly sad, listless or unwell for more than 48 hours post-vaccination, it’s a good idea to consult the vet to rule out any rare adverse reactions. Overall though, it’s quite normal for kitties to have some behavioral changes as their bodies work to build immunity against dangerous diseases through vaccination.
Normal Vaccine Side Effects
It’s common for cats to experience some mild side effects after getting vaccinated. These are normal and show that your cat’s immune system is responding properly. According to research from the American Animal Hospital Association, the most common vaccine reactions in cats are lethargy, fever, and localized swelling or pain at the injection site.
Your cat may seem more tired than usual or sleep more following vaccination. This is the immune system’s response to the vaccine and should pass within a day or two. A slight fever is also expected as the body works to build immunity. You may notice warmth around the ears or paws. Temperatures up to 103°F are normal. The injection site may be painful or swollen for a few days. Some cats develop small firm lumps under the skin where they received the vaccine.
These mild vaccine reactions indicate the immune system is responding appropriately. While uncomfortable for a day or two, they show the vaccine is working. Still, contact your veterinarian if symptoms persist more than 3 days or seem severe.
Possible Causes of Sadness
It’s normal for cats to experience some pain, discomfort or sickness after getting vaccinated. The injections introduce antigens into their system so their immune system can start producing antibodies against certain diseases. This process can cause side effects like pain, fever, lethargy, and decreased appetite (source 1).
The vaccinations are deposited under the skin, so it’s common for some soreness, tenderness or mild swelling to develop around the injection site. Your cat may act hesitant to move or be touched near where they received the shot. Even mild pain in the area can make them act more down or depressed (source 2).
It’s also possible for cats to develop a slight fever after vaccinations as their immune system kicks into high gear. Fevers can cause general discomfort, lethargy, appetite loss and just an overall feeling of unwellness. The rise in body temperature combined with injection site pain can understandably make your cat seem sadder and not their usual upbeat self for a day or two (source 3).
Immune System Response
Vaccines work by triggering an immune response in the body. This is a normal and expected reaction that helps build immunity against the disease being vaccinated for. However, mounting an immune response requires a lot of energy and can leave some cats feeling tired or fatigued (known as vaccine fatigue or asthenia).
When a vaccine is administered, the cat’s immune system recognizes the weakened or dead virus/bacteria in the vaccine as a threat. This activates immune cells like T cells and B cells to start producing antibodies that will specifically target and destroy that pathogen in the future. Ramping up antibody production requires the immune system to work harder than normal. This increased workload can leave some cats feeling drained of energy in the days following vaccination.
Studies have found vaccine fatigue to be a common side effect after many different types of vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine in humans (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9212783/,
Stress and Anxiety
Vet visits and shots can be extremely stressful for cats. The car ride, new environment, and handling by strangers can cause a lot of anxiety. Cats are very sensitive and can find the noises, smells, and procedures at the vet overwhelming. Even a routine visit for vaccines can be traumatic for some cats.
According to Reducing the Stress of Veterinary Visits for Cats | VCA, vet visits are often scary and stressful for cats because the experience is unfamiliar. The smells, sounds, and handling are foreign and frightening. Cats that only go to the vet when sick or for shots often associate visits with pain and discomfort.
The stress hormone cortisol is released in response, which can cause lethargy, appetite changes, and depression. According to How can my pet have stress-free veterinary visits? | AAHA, the more negative experiences a cat has at the vet, the more stressed they may become with future visits. Their fearful association gets reinforced.
It’s understandable that a cat may seem sad after vaccinations. The stress of the visit takes an emotional and physical toll. Be patient and allow extra recovery time. Try to make future vet experiences less frightening.
Short-Term Recovery
It’s normal for cats to experience some sadness and lethargy in the day or two after getting vaccinated. Their immune systems are working hard to build up defenses against the weakened pathogens in the vaccine, which can leave them feeling worn out and under the weather. According to PetMD, these vaccine side effects usually resolve within 48 hours as the immune response dies down.1
As long as your cat is eating, drinking, and using the litter box normally, there’s no need for concern. Just allow them ample time to rest and recover in a comfortable, stress-free environment. The sadness and low energy should pass once their body has finished processing the vaccine.
When to Call the Vet
Most side effects from vaccines are mild and temporary, lasting only a day or two. However, some reactions can be more serious and require veterinary attention. You should call your vet if your cat’s symptoms last more than 2 days after vaccination, as this could signal an adverse reaction.
According to the Animal Clinic of Woodruff, if lethargy, soreness, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms persist more than 2 days post-vaccination, it’s best to follow up with your vet [1]. Prolonged or severe reactions could be a sign your cat is having trouble handling the vaccine components.
Similarly, VCA Animal Hospitals recommends waiting at the vet clinic for 30-60 minutes after vaccination to monitor for immediate allergic reactions. However, they note that if any concerning symptoms are still apparent after 2 days, a call to the vet is warranted [2].
Calling your vet promptly if side effects persist can help your cat get the care and medication needed to manage more serious vaccine reactions. Don’t hesitate to reach out so your vet can evaluate if additional treatment is required.
Making Your Cat Comfortable
There are some simple things you can do at home to help your cat feel more comfortable after getting vaccinated:
Provide Extra Love: Give your cat some extra attention and affection. Pet them gently, brush them if they enjoy that, and speak to them in a calm, soothing voice. This extra bit of love can help them feel secure.
Allow for Proper Rest: Let your cat rest and sleep as much as needed. Provide them with a warm, quiet space away from household activity where they can comfortably relax and recover. Don’t force them to play or interact too much.
Offer Favorite Toys and Treats: Make sure your cat has access to some of their favorite toys, treats, or playtime activities. This can help take their mind off feeling unwell. Just don’t overdo it with too many treats.
With some extra affection, rest, and access to their favorite things, most cats will start to perk up within a day or so after vaccination. Always monitor them closely and call your vet if you have any concerns.
Preventing Future Stress
One of the best ways to prevent stress during future vet visits is to make the carrier a normal part of your cat’s environment. As this source recommends, try leaving the carrier out at all times, with the door open and bedding inside, so your cat associates it with comfort and safety. You can even feed your cat near or inside the carrier to build more positive associations.
It’s also crucial to remain calm yourself when taking your cat to the vet, as cats can pick up on human anxiety. This article suggests speaking softly and soothingly to your cat throughout the visit. You can also consider using synthetic feline pheromones like Feliway to help relax your cat.
Lastly, don’t force your cat into the carrier – take the time needed to gently guide them inside. Reward bravery with treats during and after the visit. Over time, these measures can help transform the vet from a scary experience into simply a minor disruption in your cat’s normal routine.
The Importance of Vaccines
Vaccines play a crucial role in preventing infectious diseases in cats caused by dangerous viruses and bacteria. According to experts at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, “Vaccines represent one of the greatest achievements in preventive medicine.” [1] While no vaccine is 100% effective, regularly vaccinating cats provides critical protection by stimulating their immune systems to produce antibodies against specific antigens found in disease-causing agents. This primes the immune system to mount a stronger, faster response if exposed to the real pathogen in the future.
Some of the most serious infectious diseases that vaccines help prevent in cats include: [2]
- Rabies – fatal viral disease affecting the central nervous system
- Feline panleukopenia (distemper) – highly contagious and life-threatening viral disease
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis – upper respiratory infection causing severe symptoms
- Calicivirus – contagious respiratory virus
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) – retrovirus that suppresses the immune system
While some cat owners may wonder if vaccines are necessary for indoor cats, experts strongly recommend maintaining vaccination schedules even for cats that never go outside, as they can still be exposed to contagious diseases in other ways. [3] Vaccinating provides important protection and prevention against devastating illnesses in our feline companions.
